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MY ⭐️ RATING: 4.75/5
Format: Kindle Whispersync
BOOK DESCRIPTION
Monsters breed legends… and legends breed monsters. This is the way of things. This is the way of the Ranger.
Turned from the path of the assassin, Asher roams the world no better than a nomad, with naught to offer but his sword and grit. But woe betide the monster that believes his sword and grit will not be enough…
In a twisted chance of fate, the brash actions of Doran Heavybelly — a dwarven hunter with a lot to say — forces Asher back into the world of man. And so the ranger is brought into the light, into the gaze of Illian’s greatest crime guilds and onto the lawless island of Dragorn.
A deal must be made, and with a creature far worse than any of the fiends Asher has put to his sword. To save those who cannot save themselves, the ranger must choose between his life and theirs. Should he make such a deal, ’tis not his life that would be forfeit but the man he has worked so hard to become.
In the end, it will all come down to blood and coin…
MY REVIEW
Court of Assassins walked so that Blood and Coin could run, and the key difference was Doran Heavybelly. I enjoyed Court of Assassins, don’t get me wrong, but it was missing something that I didn’t realize was missing until reading Blood & Coin. Fireworks exploded and the world rejoiced when two of my favorite characters from the Echoes saga got to meet for the first time, and the result is pure magic. Their banter is razor-sharp, blending wit and camaraderie in a way that feels like catching up with old friends. Every scene they share is a highlight, from playful jabs to moments of trust, making their partnership the heart of the story.
Doran’s past is expanded upon from what was learned in the original saga, which adds depth to his character, but it’s his impact on Asher that shines. Doran doesn’t just steal the show; he unlocks new layers in Asher from once being a stone-cold killer, to discovering more of his humanity. New characters like Viktor Varga, a cunning pitmaster who runs the brutal Blood and Coin fighting pit, push Asher deeper into that darkness, tempting him to embrace his demons. Meanwhile, introducing readers to how Asher met Salim Al-Anon and the Dwarven Stormshields, who also help ground him, pulling him toward his Ranger ideals. This tug-of-war makes Asher’s journey feel alive, showing his struggle to be more than a weapon.
What sets Blood and Coin apart is its ability to feel like a complete story, not just a bridge to something bigger. The gladiator-style arena, where Asher is forced to fight as Varga’s executioner, evokes the raw intensity of Spartacus, Viktor as a scheming Batiatus, Salim as a noble Crixus, and Asher as the conflicted hero. These fights aren’t just thrilling; they expose the corruption of Verda’s underbelly, from monstrous creatures to the greed of those in power. The action is relentless, with each clash in the pit carrying higher stakes and sharper tension than the first book’s quieter moments.
Steven Brand’s narration remains a strong point, his voice carrying a gravitas that suits the story’s darker tones, though it’s not without flaws. His delivery is polished, almost like a classic storyteller, but I found myself wanting more energy in the character moments. While Brand nails distinctions like age, gender, and race, the voices blend a bit, missing the chance to fully embody each character’s spirit. Blood and Coin is a triumph, blending heart-pounding action, deep character growth, and a vibrant world that never feels like a setup, this book delivers a journey worth savoring.
Wolfmantula.com 